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Port of Barcelona sets up the Cruise Sustainability Council

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 11 May 2023 11 May 2023

The Port of Barcelona has set up the Cruise Sustainability Council, a forum for working together to improve the impact of cruise tourism on the Catalan capital and has invited the administrations, entities and bodies related to this sector to take part: Barcelona City Council; Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya); Provincial Council of Barcelona, Delegation of the Central Government in Catalonia, Port Community; CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association); Air Routes Development Committee (CDRA) and economic and social entities.

This Cruise Sustainability Council was created with five main objectives in mind:

• To enhance the transparency and communication of cruise activity in the Port of Barcelona.
• To create a space for sharing and coordinating the various initiatives launched by different institutions.
• To reduce the negative impacts of cruises both on an environmental and social level.
• To increase the social and economic return by the sector on the city and its hinterland.
• To strengthen the connection of cruise companies with the city's business, training and employment sectors.

By supporting this Cruise Sustainability Council, the Port of Barcelona is leading the coordination of initiatives to improve the sustainable development of cruise activity in tandem with the administrations, the Port Community and the economic and social players.

This new instrument provides continuity to the agreement signed between the Port and Barcelona City Council in 2018 which reduces the number of cruise terminals to seven. Implementing this agreement from 2018 involves around ten years' work and therefore will not end until 2027, with the closure of the cruise terminal located on Barcelona Sud wharf. This agreement involves an investment of €265 million in public and private investment (adaptation of the Adossat wharf, building the new terminals, removing the old ones, and so on), and incorporates improvements in cruise activity at the Port of Barcelona, facilitating the increase in homeport operations.

50 actions

This Council will be governed by a plenary session and will be structured into several work committees focusing on environmental, social and economic sustainability. The founding document of the Cruise Sustainability Council also suggests 50 actions that are already underway or will start shortly and are framed within the three areas indicated.

A fourth, cross-cutting axis has been proposed, intersecting these working groups, to promote transparency and communication of the progress of the Council's activities and initiatives, and the data and studies developed by the various players.

In the social sustainability area, the actions are focused on managing cruise passengers, promoting a model based on the leadership of homeport cruises, which already began with the limitation and transfer of cruise terminals and the move towards de-seasonalising the activity. Another very important line of work involves reducing congestion in the most touristy areas of the city; diversifying tourist assets and creating local jobs in the sector. As regards environmental sustainability, the actions are aimed at reducing emissions from cruise ships; promoting low-emission ships and the energy transition in the Port; optimising water management; transforming waste into biogas; improving urban mobility and working towards biodiversity. With regard to economic sustainability, the measures proposed by the Port of Barcelona refer to the increase in arrivals of homeport cruise ships; generating business in the productive sectors of the country and facilitating innovation projects.

The homeport operating model

It should not be forgotten that the Port of Barcelona is the leading European and Mediterranean homeport, the port where cruise passengers start and/or end their journey, which is the segment that provides the greatest profit to the city. Work is also underway to convert some cruise ships that are currently under the transit regime into homeport vessels using Barcelona as a homeport for some cruise-goers, thereby increasing its leadership as a port of embarkation and disembarkation for tourists.

Setting up the Cruise Sustainability Council has garnered a very broad consensus among the participating administrations, entities and bodies and lays the foundations for continuing to optimise the management of cruise tourism arriving in Barcelona, having a clear idea about exactly what the legal framework allows us to do, providing space for implementing many improvement measures. The plenary will meet two or three times a year and the various working groups will be set up. There will be a technical secretariat that will organise the various working groups responsible for specifying and implementing these measures.

Bodrum Cruise Port homeports Blue Sapphire

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 08 May 2023 08 May 2023

Bodrum Cruise Port, part of the Global Ports Holding's portfolio, the world's largest cruise port operator, will host the Turkish Cruise Company Lagoon Sea Cruises' Blue Sapphire. Bodrum Cruise Port will serve as a homeport to Blue Sapphire, which plans to have 46 cruise calls this year. The 200-meter-long Blue Sapphire has a total capacity of 750 passengers. The first call targeting the Turkish, European, and South American markets started last week.

Aziz Güngör, GPH Regional Director of East Med said: "Our goal is to transform Bodrum Cruise Port further. With the ability to host the largest cruise ships in the world, BCP will have a very successful season, just as it did last season. We can clearly see an increase in interest towards Bodrum. This season we expect 138 ships and 125,000 cruise passengers to visit Bodrum Cruise Port which will be a record year in terms of cruise tourism this year. We can also see the increasing luxury awareness of Bodrum as a brand in recent years that has led to an increase in the interest of luxury cruise ships to visit Bodrum."

Bodrum is a popular tourist destination located on the southwestern coast of Turkey, known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant nightlife. In recent years, Bodrum has also emerged as an important player in the cruise industry, with its modern and well-equipped cruise port attracting a growing number of cruise ships and passengers each year. The port offers excellent facilities and services to cruise lines, including easy access to popular attractions, modern infrastructure, and efficient customs and immigration procedures. As a result, Bodrum has become a preferred homeport and port of call for many cruise lines operating in the East Med, contributing significantly to the local economy and tourism industry.

Port of Milwaukee welcomes first cruise ship of 2023 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 07 May 2023 07 May 2023

On Thursday, May 4, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and local leaders welcomed the Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. Mayor Johnson was joined by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Port Milwaukee officials, local tourism leaders, and Great Lakes recreational cruise partners.

The Viking Octantis’ arrival in Milwaukee began a 2023 summer season where 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned, bringing an estimated 12,000 passengers to the city.

Operated by Viking, the Viking Octantis can carry up to 378 passengers on voyages throughout the Great Lakes. This will be the second season where Viking will designate Milwaukee as an embarkation and debarkation port for the company’s Great Lakes itineraries. Viking will also be introducing a second, identical ship, the Viking Polaris, to the Great Lakes in 2023, doubling this cruise line company’s capacity in the region and creating more recreational tourism opportunities in the City of Milwaukee.

Mayor Johnson Speak at Port Press Conference“Milwaukee is a great destination, filled with attractions and hospitality. People from around the globe are taking notice of our city,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “This is a wonderful example of how local and regional partnerships are creating new excitement and activity in Milwaukee. I’m looking forward to more international cruise passengers traveling to America’s Fresh Coast this year, and beyond.”

Following two years of pandemic-related cancellations, Milwaukee’s Great Lakes cruise season returned with significant momentum and success in 2022. An unprecedented number of international passengers and cruise vessels traveled to-or-from Milwaukee last year. Learn more about the 2022 Great Lakes cruise season through Port Milwaukee’s Annual Report.

“Port Milwaukee’s Great Lakes cruise industry has elevated our profile within the community and around the world. More residents are becoming familiar with Port Milwaukee’s work because of this new tourism sector, and we’re excited for more cruise ships and international travelers visiting our city in the years ahead,” said Jackie Q. Carter, Director of Port Milwaukee. “The Port is looking forward to another successful Great Lakes recreational cruise season in 2023.”

Viking will once again utilize the Port’s City Heavy Lift Dock this season as their docking location. The South Shore Cruise Dock, located immediately east of the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry terminal, will serve as the future port-of-call for vessels the size of the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris. Construction of South Shore Cruise Dock is expected to begin in 2024.

Port Milwaukee continues working to promote the passenger cruise business in Milwaukee and throughout the Great Lakes. Port Milwaukee is the founder of the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, a local group promoting the city as a cruise destination. The Collaborative, which includes a cross section of the local hospitality industry, has planned, promoted and prepared for increased Great Lakes cruise passengers.

Throughout the 2023 season, members of the public are encouraged to stay up-to-date on cruise ship arrivals and departures through Port Milwaukee’s virtual vessel tracker, which is available online here.

Port Milwaukee is an economic entity of City government governed by the seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, a panel appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council. It administers operations on the 467 acres that make up the Port. It promotes shipping and commerce throughout the region by providing access to domestic and international ships, rail, and over-the-road transportation.

Disney Cruise Line sails to Hamburg in 2024

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 02 May 2023 02 May 2023

Disney Cruise Line has announced it will sail to Hamburg for the 2024 cruise season. On 3 September 2024, the Disney Dream will celebrate its premiere call at the Port of Hamburg as part of its 7-night voyage to the British Isles. Disney Cruise Line, a leader in family cruising, allows families to see the world with a touch of Disney magic. Onboard the Disney Dream, guests can expect world-class family entertainment, like only Disney can do, Broadway-style musicals, fireworks at sea, encounters with Disney characters, themed dining and fun and relaxation for every member of the family.

“Disney Cruise Line's visit to Hamburg will be an absolute highlight in the coming year, and we will do our best to support the cruise line leading up to the sailing to offer guests an unforgettable travel experience to our city,” said Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of CGH. "The collaboration not only underlines Hamburg's strong commitment to the cruise industry, but also the broad support that Hamburg as a cruise destination offers to the cruise lines,” Maraschi added.

Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) leaders recently attended Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the largest international trade fair for the cruise industry, where they met with Disney Cruise Line leaders and other cruise lines to discuss opportunities to sail to the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg had a particularly strong presence on site at Seatrade Cruise Global this year. In addition to CGH leaders, Simone Maraschi and Iris Scheel, in attendance, Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority AöR, Michael Otremba, Managing Director of Hamburg Tourismus GmbH, also travelled to the cruise industry ́s leading annual business-to-business event to jointly promote Hamburg as a destination and its strong performance as a cruise hub.

Managing Director of CGH Simone Maraschi said, "We are very pleased to have secured a visit from Disney Cruise Line, one of the most popular cruise brands, during the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference. This is a big win for CGH and for Hamburg as a tourist destination."

Michael Otremba also welcomes the outcome, adding, "We are delighted that, with excellent teamwork and within the framework of Seatrade Cruise Global, we have succeeded in putting Hamburg on the map with the players in the cruise industry." Cruise Gate Hamburg has been active for years at international trade fairs and conferences in association with other Hamburg stakeholders in order to promote Hamburg as an eventful and sustainable cruise destination in various markets and to position Hamburg more strongly as a brand, especially in the USA.

This September, Hamburg will host two significant global cruise events for one week. The Seatrade Europe will take place from 6 to 8 September, followed by the "Hamburg Cruise Days" from 8 to 10 September, which will put cruise ships in the spotlight on the harbour stage on all three days of the event. The highlight of the event will be the ship parade on the Elbe on Saturday evening, accompanied by music, fireworks and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Hamburg is also moving forward consistently and swiftly in implementing its vision of being the "No. 1 Sustainable Cruise Hub in Europe." By 2025, all permanent cruise terminals will be equipped with shore power systems. This means that Hamburg is taking on a pioneering role internationally and is already fulfilling the EU's requirement five years earlier, which stipulates in the "Fit for 55" programme that all major ports in the European Union must have a shore power supply by 2030.

Viking Octantis opens international cruise season in Québec City

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 April 2023 28 April 2023

The international cruise season began on April 25 at the Port of Québec with the arrival of Viking Octantis. Port of Québec President and CEO Mario Girard marked the occasion by proudly awarding Captain Jorgen Cardestig the medal honouring the first cruise ship of the year to dock at the Port of Québec. The ship’s visit marks a promising beginning to the Port of Québec’s longest ever cruise season, extending from April 25 to November 5.

During the 2023 season, the Port of Québec expects to receive a total of 124 visits from 41 different cruise ships, including a record-setting 30 boarding and disembarking operations by major cruise lines such as Princess Cruises operating between New York and Québec City.

“We are very pleased to inaugurate this cruise season with the arrival of the Viking Octantis. We are expecting close to a hundred ship stopovers again this year, which confirms that Québec City is a choice destination for cruises on the Saint Lawrence. With industry partners, we have prioritized sustainably developing the cruise industry in harmony with the community. The Port of Québec is bearer for a vast plan for sustainable development and destination management, and also contributes to the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association Development Plan,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO.

Note that since 2014, the Port of Québec has limited the number of passengers and cruise ships visiting the city. At most 15,000 passengers can make a port stop any given day and a maximum of four ships can be docked at the same time. The various stakeholders involved adopted this practice, groundbreaking for North America, to ensure the best possible experience for cruise passengers and citizens alike.

Toward the sustainable development of the cruise industry

With the resumption of growth in the cruise industry comes the importance of adapting practices to the standards of sustainable development. The Port of Québec is currently evaluating options to electrify its main operating docks. The pandemic pause has finally allowed the industry to take stock and decide to move toward large-scale shore power. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has also made a clear commitment: by 2035, all ships equipped with the technology and calling at ports where shore power is available will plug in. The large-scale electrification of cruise ships arriving along the Saint Lawrence is promising, but government assistance for the Port of Québec and other ports will obviously be necessary. Discussions in this regard are underway. The continuous improvement of practices is a priority, and the Port of Québec will continue to position itself as an energy transition leader, including within the international cruise sector.

The Port of Québec to host the Cruise Symposium

The Port of Québec will host the 23rd Cruise Canada New England Symposium this year from June 19 to 21. This symposium on international cruises is an annual event gathering nearly 200 industry representatives to build business relations and discover the newest trends in cruising.

Québec City, always a top cruise destination

A prized attraction for visitors, Québec City has staked itself as a choice destination for many cruise lines and in the tourism media. This popularity of cruises generates major tourism and economic benefits for the region. At the end of the 2019 season, they were estimated by the Cruise the Saint Lawrence Association at more than $700 million annually for the province, including $106 million for the Québec City region alone.

“The arrival of the first ship at the Port of Québec always causes a certain frenzy in us because it also represents the beginning of the summer tourist season. Cruises are an important component for the Québec City region exposure, and they remain an incredible window to highlight the beauty of the Saint Lawrence River and the city, as many cruise passengers return to visit us after a stopover. With even more boarding and disembarking operations expected this year, the 2023 season promises to generate even greater tourism benefits for the destination. We applaud the work of all cruise industry partners ensuring that the season unfolds smoothly with a balanced approach to managing tourist traffic in the main neighbourhoods and in respect for the residents’ quality of life, as has been our practice since 2014,” said Robert Mercure, General Manager of Destination Québec cité.